I posted this on the premium boards this morning, but I have been asked by some people who do not have premium and want to read my post to share here:
I don't want to bring the mood on the boards down after yesterday's victory, but I feel this story needs to be told. My father's high school best friend, roommate in college and best man at his wedding, passed away in the early hours this morning: Clay Underwood, class of '97.
The reason I feel inclined to bring this to the boards is because of what the TexAgs family and the Aggie Network did for Clay and his late wife, Shannon, while they were both alive. This happened a while ago, 2013 to be exact, but some may remember this story:
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/collin-county/mckinney-couple-overwhelmed-by-aggie-spirit/287-306088199
If you don't want to read the article, I'll try to sum it up as best as possible. Shannon battled cancer for several years, and in 2013, it came back for the fourth time in three years. She wanted so badly to go down to College Station for a "big game" after receiving news that she was "out of options." What bigger game to go to than Alabama coming to Kyle Field to attempt to avenge its loss the previous year to Johnny Manziel in Tuscaloosa?
My father, Scott Harris, posted on another board about simply bringing Clay and Shannon down for the game and finding a tailgate spot to watch. My dad shared Shannon's story and explained everything she was going through and what she wanted to do. Of course, the Aggie Network wasn't going to let them just tailgate.
If you check out this thread from 2013, you will see all the overwhelming support the Aggie family showed for Shannon and Clay during that time. The OP, "oldarmy1," brought the story to the TexAgs ticket forum, and from there, it took off. The Aggie Network was on a mission to get them into the Bama game that week. They did that and so much more. They ended up with seats in the zone, with some AC because Shannon needed it. They got sideline passes. They got upwards of $16,000. The Aggie family just kept donating and donating. It did not matter that they had received more than enough money to get tickets into the game. Aggieland Outfitters and Dallas Shipp provided them with $250 store credit. We went there immediately after the game. Wade and Mary Beckman, the owners of "Shipwreck Grill" in town, treated all of us to a free dinner after the game.
All of this came as a surprise to Shannon. When we drove down to Aggieland the morning of the game, she thought we were just going to watch from a tailgate, as she had wanted. She was overwhelmed with joy when she found out what had happened behind the scenes and got her into Kyle Field that day.
Here is the YouTube video the AggieNetwork posted of Shannon being surprised with the tickets and the donations:
We formed a relationship with the man who posted on the ticket forums, "oldarmy1," or better known as Randy Taylor. He is the man seen presenting the tickets to Shannon in the YT video. We got the chance to go over to the Taylors' house on multiple occasions for fajitas. We made an anniversary trip of this experience in 2014 to watch A&M vs. Rice. I remember the Association of Former Students invited us to a dinner the day of the game. They treated us like royalty.
My dad said Clay always mentioned that day in 2013 and how much he loved the Spirit of Aggieland. It always brought a smile to his face. He was a part of the Dallas Aggies Club at one point in time because of how much A&M had helped him. All of the Aggie family who showed support for Clay and Shannon lifted them up tremendously through the darkest point in their lives.
Shannon actually beat cancer. However, all the chemotherapy and medication caught up to her, and she passed away on June 3rd, 2015. Now, she is reunited with Clay in heaven. I can only imagine the smile on his face at getting to see her again.
All of this happened when I was 11. I had the opportunity to experience just how truly impactful the Aggie Network is sooner than most people do. I cared a lot about Clay and Shannon, as they did for me. I was the ring-bearer at their wedding. Because the Aggies took care of them, I fell in love with this university and the people of Texas A&M on that day. It was an incredibly full-circle moment to have the opportunity to work for TexAgs and the Association of Former Students in college, both having the impact that they did on Shannon, Clay and my family. I graduated in May of 2024. I don't know if I would have come to A&M had it not been for that day in 2013. My dad and I also found our way into the stadium. It was the second A&M game I had ever been to. I still remember that place shaking when Johnny hit Mike for that 95-yard touchdown.
I will be attending my first game of the year next week against Mississippi State, and I know I will be reflecting on that day, but also incredibly grateful to be a part of a family that is truly special.
"From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it."
If you made it to the end of this, I truly appreciate you. I also want to give my appreciation to everybody who showed support for Clay and Shannon in 2013 and beyond. Again, the impact that everybody who donated made can't be understated for how important it was for both of them.
Rest in peace, Uncle Clay. Here.
I don't want to bring the mood on the boards down after yesterday's victory, but I feel this story needs to be told. My father's high school best friend, roommate in college and best man at his wedding, passed away in the early hours this morning: Clay Underwood, class of '97.
The reason I feel inclined to bring this to the boards is because of what the TexAgs family and the Aggie Network did for Clay and his late wife, Shannon, while they were both alive. This happened a while ago, 2013 to be exact, but some may remember this story:
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/collin-county/mckinney-couple-overwhelmed-by-aggie-spirit/287-306088199
If you don't want to read the article, I'll try to sum it up as best as possible. Shannon battled cancer for several years, and in 2013, it came back for the fourth time in three years. She wanted so badly to go down to College Station for a "big game" after receiving news that she was "out of options." What bigger game to go to than Alabama coming to Kyle Field to attempt to avenge its loss the previous year to Johnny Manziel in Tuscaloosa?
My father, Scott Harris, posted on another board about simply bringing Clay and Shannon down for the game and finding a tailgate spot to watch. My dad shared Shannon's story and explained everything she was going through and what she wanted to do. Of course, the Aggie Network wasn't going to let them just tailgate.
If you check out this thread from 2013, you will see all the overwhelming support the Aggie family showed for Shannon and Clay during that time. The OP, "oldarmy1," brought the story to the TexAgs ticket forum, and from there, it took off. The Aggie Network was on a mission to get them into the Bama game that week. They did that and so much more. They ended up with seats in the zone, with some AC because Shannon needed it. They got sideline passes. They got upwards of $16,000. The Aggie family just kept donating and donating. It did not matter that they had received more than enough money to get tickets into the game. Aggieland Outfitters and Dallas Shipp provided them with $250 store credit. We went there immediately after the game. Wade and Mary Beckman, the owners of "Shipwreck Grill" in town, treated all of us to a free dinner after the game.
All of this came as a surprise to Shannon. When we drove down to Aggieland the morning of the game, she thought we were just going to watch from a tailgate, as she had wanted. She was overwhelmed with joy when she found out what had happened behind the scenes and got her into Kyle Field that day.
Here is the YouTube video the AggieNetwork posted of Shannon being surprised with the tickets and the donations:
We formed a relationship with the man who posted on the ticket forums, "oldarmy1," or better known as Randy Taylor. He is the man seen presenting the tickets to Shannon in the YT video. We got the chance to go over to the Taylors' house on multiple occasions for fajitas. We made an anniversary trip of this experience in 2014 to watch A&M vs. Rice. I remember the Association of Former Students invited us to a dinner the day of the game. They treated us like royalty.
My dad said Clay always mentioned that day in 2013 and how much he loved the Spirit of Aggieland. It always brought a smile to his face. He was a part of the Dallas Aggies Club at one point in time because of how much A&M had helped him. All of the Aggie family who showed support for Clay and Shannon lifted them up tremendously through the darkest point in their lives.
Shannon actually beat cancer. However, all the chemotherapy and medication caught up to her, and she passed away on June 3rd, 2015. Now, she is reunited with Clay in heaven. I can only imagine the smile on his face at getting to see her again.
All of this happened when I was 11. I had the opportunity to experience just how truly impactful the Aggie Network is sooner than most people do. I cared a lot about Clay and Shannon, as they did for me. I was the ring-bearer at their wedding. Because the Aggies took care of them, I fell in love with this university and the people of Texas A&M on that day. It was an incredibly full-circle moment to have the opportunity to work for TexAgs and the Association of Former Students in college, both having the impact that they did on Shannon, Clay and my family. I graduated in May of 2024. I don't know if I would have come to A&M had it not been for that day in 2013. My dad and I also found our way into the stadium. It was the second A&M game I had ever been to. I still remember that place shaking when Johnny hit Mike for that 95-yard touchdown.
I will be attending my first game of the year next week against Mississippi State, and I know I will be reflecting on that day, but also incredibly grateful to be a part of a family that is truly special.
"From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it."
If you made it to the end of this, I truly appreciate you. I also want to give my appreciation to everybody who showed support for Clay and Shannon in 2013 and beyond. Again, the impact that everybody who donated made can't be understated for how important it was for both of them.
Rest in peace, Uncle Clay. Here.
